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Delhi

Practical info Delhi, India

Getting around the city

Fleets of metered taxis, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws clog the streets of Delhi providing transport for locals and visitors. Rates fluctuate, but drivers should have rate charts available and tourists should ensure the meter is reset, or a price negotiated before departure. A ring railway starts and ends at the Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station with trains running in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions around the city. The Delhi Transport Corporation runs a large fleet of buses covering the entire city, but these are always overcrowded. There are night service buses on selected routes and from the three main railway stations between 11pm and 5am. The first line of an ambitious Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) covers 14 miles (22km) and 18 stations between Shahdara, Tri Nagar and Rithala. A further two lines are under construction and the entire project is scheduled for completion by 2021. It is not advised to hire a car in Delhi as the driving is frenetic and the traffic overwhelming. There are parts of the city where walking is the best way to take in the sights and sounds, but in general you will need transport to get around.

Time

GMT +5.5

Electricity

230 volts, 50Hz. A variety of power outlets are used in India, but most plugs have two or three round pins.

Currency

The currency is the Indian Rupee (INR), which is divided into 100 paise (singular paisa). Major currencies can be changed at banks, and authorised bureaux de change. It is illegal to exchange money through the black market and it is advisable to refuse torn notes, as no one will accept them apart from the National Bank. It is best to change money into small denominations. Major credit cards are widely accepted, particularly in tourist orientated establishments. ATMs are not generally available.

Communication

The international access code for India is +91. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)11 for Delhi. International calls can be quite expensive and there are often high surcharges on calls made from hotels; it is cheaper to use a calling card. Alternatively, there are telephone agencies in most towns which are identifiable by the letters STD for long distance internal calls and ISD for the international service. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main cities and resorts.

Climate

The climate of Delhi is semi-arid, and there is a vast difference between summer and winter temperatures. During the long summers the city swelters at highs of 104ºF (40ºC) and lows of 79ºF (26ºC), often exacerbated by a dusty, dry wind. The hottest months of the year are May and June. Winter weather in Delhi arrives in November, with temperatures between 43ºF (6ºC) and 68ºF (20ºC). Delhi's winters are generally mild but the city's proximity to the Himalayas can result in cold spells. Winter also brings heavy fog, which can decrease visibility and disrupt air, road and rail travel; January is the worst month for fog. The rainy season in Delhi is traditionally heralded on June 29, lasting until the end of September, when monsoons deliver most of the city's annual average rainfall. The city does not experience monsoons to the same extent as many other Indian cities. The best time to visit Delhi is in October and November, or in February and March, when the nights are cool and the days filled with mellow sunshine. December and January can be a little gloomy in Delhi while mid-summer (May, June and July) is uncomfortably hot.

Indira Gandhi International Airport

Getting to the city

Train: The airport express Delhi Metro line connects the airport to central New Delhi. It operates from Terminal 3 between 5am and 11pm. Trains run at 20-minute intervals. Bus: Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses run every 30 minutes between the airport and central Delhi's Interstate Bus Terminal and Connaught Place. The buses can be found at the 'staging area' near Terminal 3 and opposite the Centaur Hotel. The free DIAL shuttle runs between the staging area and the terminal every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. Bus fares from the airport cost between INR 25 and INR 100, depending on your destination. Concessions are available for parents buying tickets for their children.

Car rental

Carzonrent is located just after the customs area in the arrivals section of Terminal 3.

Airport taxi's

Metered taxis are available at the airport but it is best to use pre-paid taxis. The airport has a relationship with three Cab operators, Meru Cabs, Mega Cabs and Easy Cabs. Approved fares for various locations are displayed at the taxi counters located inside the Arrivals halls. Pick-up points are just outside the terminals. Travel time to the city is about 30 minutes.

Transfer between terminals

Terminal transfer shuttles connect Terminal 3 (international) and Terminal 1 (domestic). The shuttles are free and run every 20 minutes. Some domestic airlines (Air India, Vistara, and Jet Airways) operate from Terminal 3 (international) so it's best to check with your airline before mistakenly transferring terminals.

Facilities

Airport facilities include banks, ATMs and currency exchange; public telephones and a post office; baggage wrapping and storage; conference facilities and VIP lounges; complementary strollers, a kids play area and baby changing rooms; foot massages, a smoking area, shower facilities, prayer room, drinking water fountains, medical facilities and a pharmacy. There are also sleeping pods available at an hourly fee, and plenty of shopping and dining options.

Parking

Parking garages are just 300 feet (100m) from Terminal 1, and there is a multi-storey garage attached to the International Terminal.